Cuomo urges regional psychiatric centers, shutting others

8:26 PM,
Feb. 21, 2013

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A proposal by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to create regional centers for psychiatric care could mean the closure of some of the two dozen psychiatric hospitals in the state.

New York operates 27 state psychiatric hospitals, almost seven times the national average and more than the next highest two states combined, Texas and Virginia, state and federal reports have shown.

In his 2013-14 budget proposal, Cuomo is seeking to create regional centers of excellence for psychiatric programs. It would save $20 million in the coming fiscal year and $40 million the following year, Cuomo estimated. The money ...